Oak Park Records

Alan Heffelfinger
179 S Oak Park Avenue

Oak Park Records got a new wave of business during the COVID-19 pandemic. While people were quarantined at home looking for ways to pass the time, many turned to music—specifically, collecting records. That trend has continued.

“There’s a new generation of record collectors. My customer base has become younger over the last five years,” owner Alan Heffelfinger says. “Now, you have high schoolers and college kids coming in every weekend.”

Alan’s love for collecting music began when he was a student at Concordia University in River Forest. He made trips to Oak Park stores, buying records, cassettes and CDs—including from the very storefront he would one day buy.

Oak Park Records is celebrating 20 years in business this November! Stop by to celebrate.

Be sure to support the businesses of the Hemingway District as we prepare to Renew the Avenue in 2025!